Overcorrect otoplasty: can they be fixed? (Photos)

Question

I had my ears pinned when I was about 10 years old (22yrs old now) and they were over corrected, we’ll the left one was. It is now an unusual shapone and it’s quite hard compared to my other ear. When I touch the back it’s as if I can still feel stitches in it. I am very self conscious of them as they have the ‘telephone’ shape and people comment on the fact that they look strange. I rarely wear my hair up and it also hurts to to wear glasses or a head band. Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

Jacob Sedgh, MD · Answer

Otoplasty with most suture techniques if overvorrected can be reversed or modified , however one should make sure enough time (at least one year) has passed for the results to settle and not underestimate the risk of asymmetry and undercorrection next time around. A close examination of the ear is needed to get a better sense.

Walid Sabbagh, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Many thanks for your question. This is indeed a telephone ear deformity which can occur when the middle portion of the ear is over corrected. It is not an easy problem to fix as the cause of the problem is usually over resection of cartilage. 
It may be possible to improve the shape of your ear by bringing the upper third and lobule a little closer to your head whilst attempting to release the middle portion. This will only bring out the central portion by a few millimetres.
If you wanted the central portion released more than this then the solution is to insert a cartilage graft behind the ear. This would be taken from the your rib. It sounds drastic but is relatively straightforward when performed by a Surgeon who is experienced in this field.

Adam Goodwin, MBBS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

So it sounds although i cannot be sure that you have a skin defect behind the ear. This is a relatively easy thing to fix. If the cartilage has been permanently reshaped then this can still be fixed but might be a little more involved.Go and see a local surgeon who will be happy to give you some good first hand advice. Hope that helps. Adam Goodwin

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